However, the ping pong balls bounced the right way and the Lakers ended up jumping from fourth to second, giving them a chance to draft one of the top prospects from the class of 2015.

So, instead of being left without lottery pick, they ended up with number two. Result.

Things may be set to get even better for the Lakers, though.

According to Ken Berger from CBS Sports, the Sixers – who are at number 3 right now – are “willing” to trade up in order to take D’Angelo Russell at number 2, the 6’5″ guard out of Ohio State.

As Berger points out, this could be a win-win situation for the Lakers, who could swap picks with the Sixers, allowing Philly to take Russell and then still end up with their apparent target at number 2 in Jahlil Okafor.

Of course, the Sixers would have to make it worth the Lakers’ while to move down a spot in the draft. As Berger suggests, one way they could do that is by offering the Lakers their own 2016 first-round draft pick.

As the Sixers didn’t get the Lakers’ pick this year (it was top-five protected) then they’ll receive their selection in 2016 (top-three protected). However, as compensation for swapping picks on Thursday, the Lakers could ask for that selection back from Philadelphia.

Of course, just like the DeMarcus Cousins rumors, nobody knows if any of this will actually happen between now and Thursday, but it’s nice to know that the Lakers apparently have options, and they’ll surely be exploring them in great detail over the next 48 hours.

Ross Pickering is the founder of Lakerholicz.com. He's here to bring you daily updates on your Los Angeles Lakers, despite living 5,485 miles away from L.A. in England. You can follow him on Twitter: @RossPickering